Aviation funding could be restored under supplementary appropriation – Ramjattan

By Zena Henry, April 18, 2014, By KNews, Filed Under News, Source

While funding to improve the country’s local aviation sector is pivotal and necessary, leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan has pointed out that since the legal decision of Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang does not permit opposition members to oppose individual items they believe are unnecessary for the country, other items bundled in the package are falling victim to the opposition’s scissors.

Speaking specifically to the cuts suffered by the aviation sector, Ramjattan said that funds in that area were severed as a result of being under the same heading as the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) extension project – one that the opposition has opposed from the inception. The CJIA project attracted more than $6B to be expended on the upgrade, expansion and modernization works, while $235M is allocated for the rehabilitation of hinterland airstrips.

Ramjattan used the cuts to the Office of the President to explain that since allocations to the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Government Information Agency (GINA) were “bundled up with the OP”, the office suffered cuts. It is in that light, he said, the local aviation sector suffered as a result of the cuts. He added, however, that should those items which were cut as a result of the other unwanted items it was bundled with be returned under the supplementary appropriation to the National Assembly, “then we will vote for it.”

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Finance point man Carl Greenidge also explained that items were cut from the sector since they were placed with items that the opposition did not believe are immediately beneficial to the country. He echoed the opinion that according to the CJ’s High Court ruling, the opposition is unable to cut line items from a sector, thus making it unavoidable that the whole sector has to be voted down. This is what occurred with the local aviation, the publication was told.

APNU’s Shadow Minister of Public Works and Hydraulics, Joseph Harmon, had urged also that the allocation toward local aviation is grossly insufficient. He said at the time that there were great expectations for debates over what has been allocated for the “growing” domestic air services sector.

Harmon was adamant that the whole sector needs to be reviewed, especially in the areas of oversight, safety and security.

The Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana (AOAG) is however peeved at the sums being voted down for the sector. It is also upset at the sum which was allocated for the local service, especially since it had presented a five-part proposal for the government’s consideration that was also accepted by the National Competitive Strategy Council.

The Association’s members in a joint statement said they felt disappointed that the recommendations which were urged by the Industry for the sector’s development received minimal recognition.

Among the issues raised was the strengthening of the institutional capacity of the Civil Aviation Authority in order to achieve and maintain a Category One US FAA/IASA status, which would allow direct flights from the country. The AOAG had also called for the implementing of recommendations for development, and accommodating larger aircraft and sufficient budgetary funding to support an efficient maintenance and rehabilitation programme.

The AOAG proposed $1.5B to improve the interior airstrips since they claimed that not only are the landing grounds pivotal to get to certain areas, but it will also determine which aircraft will go to those areas, since poor conditions create unsafe circumstances and affect the function of planes.

Opposition members have stated continuously that they do not believe Guyana is ready for the lavish spending that is taking place at the CJIA, and that the country’s tourism growth does not coincide with the project.  They have urged for additional consideration to the local aviation sector, while suggesting gradual development for the international airport.